Ever given much thought to the quality of hope? Hope is a great experience. The dictionary refers to hope as “to wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment; to look forward to with confidence”.
As Christians, our hope is to be in the Lord. So since the Lord is constant, never leaving or forsaking us, I should be feeling hopeful – acting with hope – praying with hope – all the time. Right?
To use a phrase my beloved husband once made popular – I’m just not feelin’ it. That’s right – I’m putting it out there. There are some things going on in my life that hurt. Skies are gray. Some situations are looking hopeless. So now what?
Years ago there was discussion of sorts about “situational ethics” – deciding what to do based on what the situation of the moment was bringing. Some lined up on the side of depending on the circumstances a response of ethics could be tailored to meet the occasion. Others were just as adamant that standards of ethics were meant to be guidelines in all situations.
Example: Susie might “need” to lie to spare someone’s feelings
Vs.
Lying is wrong. (note the period)
Frankly we should be more concerned with “situational hope”.
And that my friends is where I landed today. I found myself indulging in “situational hope”.
Romans chapter 8 talks about life through the Spirit, future glory and that we are more than conquerors. But where I froze today was on:
Romans 8: 24 & 25: “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
See my mistakes? Hope is about expecting, looking forward. By staying on my current situation – I’m looking back. In addition I was basing feeling hope on what I can see – hope is all about what I can’t see. (seems eerily related to faith)
So there you have it. Turns out I am in the perfect situation for HOPE. Who knew? Oh and by the way as I finished this – yep – the sun came out.